Our Fall Sabbatical program at Redemptorist Renewal Center began in October. This year we were blessed to have two Redemptorist priests participating: Fr. Eugene Lee, from Singapore, and Fr. Francis Tri Nguyen, from Australia via Vietnam.

Prior to Sabbatical, Fr. Eugene served at the Church of St. Alphonsus, otherwise called Novena Church, in Singapore, for the past 11 years. He was rector there for five years. Fr. Eugene has been a priest for 11 years and has been a religious in the Redemptorist Congregation for 16 years.

In 2019, he moved to Australia to support Chinese postulants. Due to the pandemic, he has remained in Australia, continuing in a formator role until June 2024.

When asked if the Sabbatical program had been good for them, Fr. Eugene said, “The program has been very helpful as it is holistically laid out. It allows the retreatant to have a relaxing environment and light schedule to recuperate and rejuvenate. There is lots of “me- time” to study, socialize, recreate and exercise as well. The talks have also been very enriching to assist me in my daily reflection.”

Fr. Francis agreed, saying “Absolutely! It has been both authentic and deeply meaningful. I have learned how to draw closer to God and cultivate a non-judgmental attitude. I have come to understand that God created human beings with imperfections, and through this, I have embraced my own behavioral flaws. With the support of God and the help of my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have learned to accept myself and grow.”

He continued, “Living close to nature and wildlife in the Sonoran Desert has been a transformative experience. I have found joy not in accomplishments but in simple pleasures – watching the sunrise and sunset, gazing at the moon and clouds, and listening to the birds. The program has encouraged me to embrace a new heart, mind, and spirit as I transition into the next phase of my life. These are precious gifts and blessings that will enrich my future ministry as a Redemptorist.”

Both Fr. Eugene and Fr. Francis loved the facilities and the staff at RRC. “The RRC is a very well-designed retreat house with many spots and places to be alone,” said Fr. Eugene. “The nearby trails are amazingly conducive for silence and prayer. And as one walks through the paths, it also gives the individual opportunities to admire God’s creation. The staff here is very hospitable and accommodating. They are also very helpful to our needs and necessities.”

Fr. Francis echoed those sentiments. “I truly appreciate the way of life at RRC. The generosity, support, and warm hospitality of the Redemptorist confreres deeply moved me. The sense of community was incredibly heartwarming, and I especially enjoyed the Happy Hours in the community house, which made me feel at home,” he said.

In October, we had an all-Redemptorist outing up to Flagstaff to hike with Peter Tran, RRC’s Associate Director and former Redemptorist. The night we arrived it began to snow, and our visiting Redemptorists were so excited to see snow. We received about two inches, and so we hiked in the snow the next morning at the Snow Bowl hiking trail. Later that Saturday, we went to a second trail in Chesnutt Park. On Sunday, we drove down to Sedona and spent the day there before returning to Tucson.

“It was a memorable trip to Flagstaff,” said Fr. Francis. “Fr. Charlie took charge of planning the trip, renting the cabin, and driving us on this long journey. Despite the unexpected challenges that arose, he remained gracious throughout. We cherished our time together, sharing delightful stories and enjoying light meals in good company. And it was incredible to witness snowfall.” 

Eugene agreed. “It was a good opportunity to share our journey of faith and vocation. The place is magical and has left us with a magnificent and unforgettable experience,” he said. “When I see these majestic mountains, I am thrilled and marvel at what God and how God has created this part of the world to be so beautiful and scenic.”

Our Sabbatical program arranges several trips. This Fall, the entire group went to Chiricahua National Park to hike, Tombstone and Kits Peak Observatory, and they also experienced the Kino Border Project.

“The trip to Chiricahua was truly impressive,” said Fr. Francis. “As I watched and walked through mountains, I found myself meditating on how God creates such wonders and extraordinary works of nature. While natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are devastating to humanity, they also pave the way for God’s re-creation of new and magnificent nature. The towering stones at Chiricahua, seemingly balanced on one another, stand strong against even the strong wind. Such remarkable wonders remind me of the power and beauty of God’s creation.”

Sabbatical members also had the choice to participate in a search and rescue program offered to locate immigrants. Fr. Eugene participated in the program and was very moved by the experience. “The program that I had a profound experience participating in was the field trip to join a search and rescue volunteer group called “Águilas de Desierto,” he said. “They set out along the southern desert borders of Arizona or California in search of missing persons.

They share the same heart and mission: to find people who are lost while trying to cross the Mexican-American border. For those who couldn’t make it and died, their remains are then retrieved and returned to their families. This allows the families of the victims to find closure and peace and to move on in life. Rendering the families these services makes me admire these volunteers.

“I was at first amazed at the way these migrants would attempt to enter and cross the Sonoran Desert, which is a treacherous and inhospitable place,” he continued. “Lacking water and running into dangerous animals, insects and reptiles results in many perishing, despite the fact that they have been told that crossing into the United States is possible and not that difficult at all.

“My admiration of the “Aguilas” volunteers made me realize and  experience the grace and power of God transforming us to care and love one another without borders and regardless of our ethnicity, nationality and religion. When I see myself engaged in this activity with the group, I sense a natural bond with them and felt that sense of how it is important to love others and to be loved by others as well.”

Eugene continued, “The experience has heightened my sensitivity to care and share my life with others to the very best of my ability without counting the cost. I sincerely ask for Jesus our Redeemer to bless these volunteers so that their mission continues to be guided by the Holy Spirit and may almighty God grant them passion and zeal to serve the least of our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

For those of us in the Redemptorist community at RRC, having Fr. Eugene and Fr. Francis with us for 10 weeks was a true blessing. They added great joy to our community life and we learned so much from them – about their ministries, cultures and personal experiences as Redemptorists. I hope that we are blessed with more Redemptorists in future Sabbatical programs here at RRC.